Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The priority of the Government is to offer people, as I have stated in previous discussions, a clear modest affordable charge with regard to Irish Water. We have listened very carefully, unlike at times Sinn Féin, to what people have had to say. We have been working on a package, which my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, is finalising. This will provide clarity on the Irish Water framework, which has as its objective the provision of clean safe water to people who live in the country, and which will also enable the future industrial and commercial development of the country so we get people back to work. This is an issue for everybody, whether on a high or low income.

In addition, for the first time since the crisis began, I am happy to say we have a budget which will mean that in January and February people will see modest reductions in the universal social charge and income tax, alongside increases in child benefit and a number of other social welfare allowances. We are very cognisant of the fact people have found it very difficult to make ends meet. The budget is a very carefully designed package to provide relief to families and individuals who depend on social protection and social welfare payments, and to families at work, especially those who have told me they would like to see reform and relief and particularly regarding the universal social charge which affects lower paid workers, about whom the Deputy is speaking, and with regard to taxation.

With regard to Irish Water, I have stated previously what I want, which is what we are working on. This is a programme for a very clear package which, I hope, will be with the House by the end of next week, which will provide certainty as to the charges over a long period of time. I stated before, and I say again, that Irish Water was far too ambitious in its timeline for the very large undertaking-----

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